R354 Why Is Our Church Special

We all could use some encouragement. I will find it together today in the Bible-based preaching Dr. Don Wilton today.

Dr. Don takes us to Ephesians and talks about the church and how church is special and more importantly how each of us work together your church. My church the C church, the body of Christ to make a difference in the world as we make a difference in our own lives and the lives of each other as we open the word together know they were open for you on our website right now TE W online.org. It's a great place to connect to our community to connect some of Dr. Wilton social media and sign up for the daily Encouraging Word devotional could do it online right now TE W online.org little supercharger quiet time. Sign up today online@tewonline.org now. Today's message with Dr. Don Wilton phone with me to Paul's letter to the Ephesians chapter 3 Paul's letter to the Ephesians chapter 3 right throughout this incredible epistle, the apostle Paul, under God's inspiration keeps coming back and majoring on certain themes. One of those is the gospel we pause in the middle of our study through Ephesians in the first 13 verses of chapter 3 and we lost the question, what then is the gospel.

Well, this week we going to be having a look at the second of what I consider to be a major theme right throughout Paul's letter to the Ephesians and that is the church. What is so special about the church. What is so special about our church. Why does Paul make so much of the church. What is so unique about the church. I want you to look with me in Ephesians chapter 3 and verse 10. Listen to what the Bible says. The Bible says that this God who created all things that he is intent was that now through the church. That's an amazing statement. He doesn't say you and me.

He says through the church. Is it possible that he is saying you and me that now, through the church the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What you think of when you think of the church.

I'm going to tell you that I think of the word passion because I believe that God exercised and demonstrated. Unbelievable passion when he instituted his church now for a lot of people and I think of passion. I think of a football guy I do to. I'm going to be quite honest with you, I love to go to a football game and the moment I began to think of football games. I began to think that there are some remarkable parallels between a football game and the church. Just think about it for a moment with me in a football game.

There are two ministry team.

The offense of team in the defense of three very clear.

There are some similarities and differences between this ministry thing that takes place in a football spider. I guess one of the most notable differences is that when it rains at a football game. People still, it's remarkable happened at South Carolina couple weeks ago people got drenched with. I stood there and watched and enjoyed the whole thing in the middle of the running. It seems it a football game. If you win, you tell everybody if you lose, you don't want to see anybody. I mean, you just have to be very quiet and get out of the way.

Steve, one of the things that I've noticed about football games that I have a worship leader on each side they got to ministers of music and and even to make things better. They even have a music ensemble back. Some of them know they do not quiet doesn't resemble the ensembles at football games. But they do they have a music team on each side.

It's it's quite remarkable. The wonderful thing about it that I really like is that all people at a football game singing whether they can sing or not. I think I really understand the word make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and all of the shot. No matter what it whatever they sign hit him.

I didn't kill him to hit him again hit him again will him and I get megaphones and everybody joins in. In this unbelievable worship service at a football game.

It seems to me that when football teams win they praise the players they just wonderful players. But as soon as the football team loses the have the word worst coaches in the division. I think that's kind of Paul for the coarsened and so it goes on, but if you tried to stop the passion that surrounds a football game.

I think we would be in serious trouble if Sen. Dole got up on a political platform and he said one of my policies is going to be to ban all football games.

I will guarantee you he wouldn't be elected next year, it would be too much for us to overcome people tried to stop the apostle Paul from doing what he did. They told him they said to Paul, you had better stop doing what you're doing you need to stop this passion you need to stop serving God and he said to them, basically wanted to go ahead and make my day. That's what Paul told him they said to him listen, you better stop doing what you do because if you don't stop doing what you do. We going to meet you. He said will go ahead and meet me.

I cannot stop doing it. He said they sent them if you don't stop doing what you do if you don't sit down and critically guided shipwreck.

He said we wanted to shipwreck me.

I cannot stop the passion that God is placed in my heart.

They say Damon, you don't stop doing what you do.

We going to hurt.

He said will wanting to just go ahead and hurt me if you don't stop what we going to put you in prison.

He said go ahead and put me in prison if you don't stop we going to muzzle you and we going to whip you disable wanted to just go ahead and muzzle me and whip me why because for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul understood the passion of God. I'm going to submit to you today beloved friends.

But perhaps it's time for us to understand the passion that God had for his church. He is the one who said that not even the gates of hell will prevail against my church. What a remarkable thing to think about so I want I want to show you something interesting just listen to this.

I've never done this before. I want to tell you something about this church we going to discover folks that it's not this church that it's special. It's God's church and nothing we can do is outside of the will of God. Just just listen to some of this permit. How folksy is the best part in missions. Do you know what our church does in missions church gives way beyond 10% tithe of our income to missions and I believe it is pleasing to God.

Listen folks, church lost year gave $569,962 to Southern Baptist convention, mission, goals.

This church gave $315,934 to other courses for total missions giving from this church from you people, however, talk about faithfulness. Let's talk about faithfulness. You folks gave $885,000 $896 to missions courses lost year you say, what are these about them written out. Some of them. The southern Baptist causes for which we gave 569,962 Annie Armstrong Janie Chapman Lottie Moon Cooperative program Spartanburg Baptist Association, world hunger County maximal children's other mission courses. This 30 of them and we got actually listed listen to gifts to missionaries Spartanburg soup kitchen greatest Spartanburg ministries St. Luke's Medical Center. The mission home. The Carolina pregnancy center Brazil missions a vital part of the ministry of our church – ministries Spartanburg mobile meals that I spoke about just a moment ago Christian social ministry use quieter Kentucky missions Christmas party for underprivileged children, youth, evangelism, media ministry, television, outreach, radio evangelism, in love, Bible, God the WMU AIDS funding South Carolina retirement offerings, individual offerings, fuel funds, volunteer mission fund seminary fun mobility admissions firm in direct fund Billy Graham Crusade downtown rescue mission. Listen to this. Folks, this does not include any missions gifts given through individual Sunday school departments that did not come through the church business off. What are some of those the angel tree project Samaritan's purse out of North Carolina Christmas projects and related things that saved why is the church so special.

What is it that God is done by allowing the church to be the church you're listening to Dr. Don Wilton our teacher here on The Encouraging Word broadcasting will be back with the rest of today's message about the church in just a moment the doctor not insist I remind you we are available for you.just to provide you with resources though. That's an important part of encouraging you, but also to pray with you and for you.

If God stirs your heart and the specific way and you like to have some friends praying for you and with you, call us at 866-899-WORD. That's 866-899-9673 today will not just now during the broadcast. The 24 hours a day as we get together to talk and listen and connect you to wonderful resources. If you haven't heard, there's a remarkable free in deed resources. We launch the month of June.

It's all about praying for our country to find the details on our website at tewonline.org. He that's TW online.org got back to today's great teaching with Dr. Don Wilton what is I want us to consider this very briefly this morning. This is unusual you know that I usually spend very much time at all in preaching time giving statistics because I believe so much in the preaching of the word of God. But folks, I believe that it is vital and it is necessary and judging by the response that we got from people in the early service. It is something. Personally I couldn't believe some of these things I'm going to say to you folks. What it did to me was not say to me, listen me wanting to get on your hands and knees and pat yourself on the back because you belong to such a great church on Friday. What it did for me.

Folks, it humbled me to think that God would allow a group of people to be involved in. They will, to the extent that God has allowed a group of people. What a privilege warranting estimate privilege. Why use the tracks so special let's just look at number one because of the mystery because of her mystery. The Bible tells us here in Ephesians chapter 3 in verses three, four and nine that the Church of God is a mystery.

God was not telling us that because the church is a mystery that the church is obscure or that the church is unintelligible what God is trying to teach us care my friend. In his letter to the Ephesians is that the church is a divine secret known only to those to whom it is revealed, the Bible tells us my friends that the tracks which is the body of Christ is a very special group of people set apart for the revelation of God in order to make known the manifold wisdom of God to mankind. I want you to turn over with me to first Corinthians chapter 2 turnover they just pretty quickly. First Corinthians chapter 2, I wanted read from verse seven. Listen to what the Bible says. The Bible says no, we speak of God's secret wisdom I wisdom that has been what has been hidden and that God was destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood focusing to me.

The world does not understand the mystery of the church. That is why the world tries to infiltrate the church.

None of the rulers of this age understood because if I had Paul says to the church at Corinth, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written, though I have seen more air is heard, no mind has conceived what God is prepared for those who love them.

But God has revealed to us by his and the passage goes on.

I just haven't got time to get into that passage in Corinthians.

Listen folks, God's church or special because of her mystery. There is something about God's church and that special something. My friend is that God instituted his church.

She is special. Why because of her mystery and also because of her meaning.

What is the church mean, what if you look at verse six and verse 10 in Ephesians chapter 3 begin to understand a little bit of the meaning of the church is in the building. I think if any church can testify to the fact that it's not a building this church can, because some 35 years ago, a tragedy struck Spartanburg. This church burned to the ground. Let me tell you, God is not dependent upon a building folks God can raise this building up anytime he wants to. He's not dependent upon acreage. He's not dependent upon how many cups of coffee or Sir, he's not dependent upon how much is given to missions God's church. My friend has in the essence of its meaning. The body of Christ what God is trying to teach us. My friend is that not one of us in this place go to church.

We the church we all church we don't go to church. You didn't go to church you go to worship you don't go to church you go to worship. Why, because the Bible tells us, my friend. The church is not a building. It's not a place people get so hung up my frame on the sacredness of the place they get so hung up on Windows and carpets and microphones and all these things which are so vital and they also necessary and they also wonderful God is blessed is church so much. But God says that the church in its meaning is the body of Christ, of which he alone is the head and the head determines what the body does when the head turns the body reacts when the head thinks the body thinks in the body does what they did chose it tells her to do.

Why is the church so special because of her mystery because of their meaning, but also because of her membership.

You see, verse six tells us. Look at verse six. This mystery is that how through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel members together in one body and shares together in the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. The membership who are the old people all people who love the Lord Jesus Christ. All members of the church. This mystery that has so much meaning is comprised of all people, and how to all people come together in the body of Christ through the preaching of the gospel. That's what the word says that is the primary means. That's why the paper occupies the primary place of worship.

That is why biblical teaching and exegesis occupies a primary place in the heartbeat of God's church, but she's also special because of her mission. Look at verse eight and 10. In verse eight and 10.

The apostle Paul tries to tell us through the Spirit what the mission of God's church is all about. It is a threefold mission. If you have lost the question why is the church there. What do we need to do is write your 33 reasons three basic foundations to the mission. Number one to preach the word of God number two to make plain the mystery of God's revelation and number three to make no the wisdom of God. Just think about that. Now you can summarize all lead in one strike to evangelize. That's what the Bible says we go to preach the gospel we go to make plain the revelation of God in Christ Jesus, and we go to make known the wisdom of God. We have got to evangelize. But there's 1/5 reason why the church is so special because of her ministers, her ministers look at verse seven. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given to me through the working of his power. Some of you going to say will positive you going to talk about ministers you go to talk about Bob you want to talk about Jerry the audit talk about Britt and you want to talk about Stephen Lee and John and Wes and Keith and Eddie and by then you go to talk about the full-time ministers yes I'm going to say to you without apology, something that you know so well that God has brought into this church throughout its history. Wonderful men and women of God who have served him with such an open heart and God has blessed us church as a result, but you not. The Bible says. The Bible says my friends, God forbid that they should ever come a time that the ministers are the ones who are considered to do the ministry of the church because all of us are ministers together every one of us that stewardship. It is the essence of who we are that we minister the word of God. But we also know that the church is special because of her marks her character. The character of the church.

We are servants we all share is we all humble before him.

We have testimonies we are accepted by God. That's why people are accepted in God's church. Why, because this church doesn't belong to us with you by the grace of God. God allows us the privilege of being a part of his passion church would you bow your heads with me this morning.

It's time for you to respond to what God has told you to the are you ready to say yes to Jesus Christ we going to ask you to do just that. This morning, upstairs and downstairs, dear friend.

What is God been speaking to you about Dr. giving Dr. service. Maybe there's someone here this morning and you'd say posture. I don't even know Jesus. So I certainly came to church this morning. I didn't come to worship there are people here today who came to church you come to worship.

You see, you cannot worship if you're not part of the body of Christ. That is not a church building.

It's a one on one relationship with Jesus Christ. We'd love to show you this morning how you can give your life to him. We'd like to help you. We want to pray with you. Maybe you share with your family today and you just need to come maybe your father mother single adult college student God has led you to first Baptist on mine Street young person to wanted to come I'm going to ask you to step out public unashamedly identify with God's people, but in so doing you sign I'm identifying with Jesus Christ because this is God's church is not a pasta is not a spa it's not a budget, it's not a him. This is God's church. This is God's you come to put a simple phrase which you come today. I pray that you would hear that in a number of ways as we have been praying together as a team about this message today about how each of us need to change our perspective to respond to the gospel to respond to the word of God, the living word of God continually challenges us that when you hear those words would you come for some of you. It's about coming to Jesus for the very first time for some of you.

It's about coming back home. If you have questions, let us talk with you. Let us discover those answers in the Bible itself, God's Encouraging Word. You can call us anytime day or night at 86689 that's 866-899-WORD 9673 per Dr. Don Estes presented the message today from Ephesians but now is a step in the studio I prayed. Open your heart to what he wants to share next are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

I'm so happy to hear that wanted to pray this prayer with me today. Dear God, I know you love very very and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came God on the cross so that I might be forgiven of my sin.

Today I repainted myself I can face my 17 952 to come into my Jesus name I pray, if you prayed that prayer. Let me be the first one welcome to the family of God. This is one I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying how very important call us so we can hope to connect you right ice you can begin this wonderful journey.

And in just a moment I'm in a come back with the final if you just gave your life to Christ praying alongside Dr. Wilson. Moments ago. Or perhaps you rededicated your life you have a brand-new commitment to living for Jesus. We want to walk with you and empower you to do that in ways like never before. We have some wonderful resources will help you build on that decision.

If you call us at 8668.

The number is 866899673 and Dr. Wilton has these resources specifically for you as you build on the decision to say yes to Christ for the first time or to rededicate your life and we want to pray with you and for you and watch your discipleship. We also have wonderful resources on our website tewonline.org G. Resources like this, our nation's prayer our founding fathers understood everything and everything that we are is rooted in the air on our own. God has a very serious next page for America this month for your gift of any amount to The Encouraging Word broadcast ministry, you will receive Dr. Wilson's powerful message free indeed. Along with the billing stuck 31 days of prayer for 90 this resource that will provide encouragement now and for the days ahead. You will have a renewed focus on the promise and power of prayer and for your freedom, last 866-899-WORD that's 866-899-WORD 9673 to request free indeed and 31 days for supporting The Encouraging Word as we continue to proclaim the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ to a nation in desperate need of culture. Again, our number to connect is 866-899-WORD 866-899-9673, an online FTE W online.org before you get away. The pastor and chief encourager Dr. Don Wilton has a final word.

You know before we go to. What a day of worship had you know you and I have in the middle of our thoughts, our beloved nation how much I love I'm so proud to be an American. You know this will cost us by so many of them across the world. We hear from me love them.

They are out. I want you to join with me as we are praying for them that God would protect them and their families and loved ones, let's do that right now shall we just before we got wanted to join with me, Lord Jesus, I'm joining with thousands of people right now trying for our members have raised brave members of any scenes in strange places families left behind bulges listing times go home tomorrow. Dr. is taking us to a special message again in the writings of Paul in the book of Ephesians about meaningful prayer we believe we are to pray with you 24 hours a day at 866899 word order online TW online.org.

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Every day we see men and women come to Jesus Christ through the power of God's Encouraging Word until next time, take